McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville Airports See Significant Passenger Growth in Early 2024

Air mobility in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, saw a significant increase of 22.11% in the first five months of 2024, with a total of 944,763 passengers traveling through the international airports of McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville. This growth means that collectively, these three airports served more than 198,952 passengers per month. Compared to the same period in 2023, when 773,707 passengers were recorded, the growth is notable. The McAllen-Miller International Airport led the surge with 446,601 travelers, followed by the Valley International Airport in Harlingen with 416,325 passengers, and the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport with 81,837 users.

Strengthening Connections to Mexico In addition, the Rio Grande Valley's air travel offerings to Mexico are being bolstered with new routes to cities like Mexico City, Cancun, and Monterrey. In February 2024, the McAllen International Airport launched a daily flight to Mexico City, achieving an occupancy rate of over 53%, thus boosting regional mobility. It also announced two weekly flights to Cancun. “Aeroméxico started the service to Mexico City at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport, and starting from the third week of July, Volaris will connect McAllen to Cancun on Wednesdays and Saturdays,” said Jeremy Santoscoy, McAllen Airport's director of aviation.

The Brownsville International Airport has also facilitated new routes to Mexican destinations, set to launch a direct flight to Monterrey, Nuevo León, starting in September, expected to serve over 6,500 passengers annually. “Launching a flight from Brownsville to Monterrey is significant for us as it represents our first international flight. We are confident that we will set new records in 2024 and continue to seek more destinations in Mexico,” stated Ángel Ramos, director of aviation at Brownsville Airport.

The Strength of Air Mobility The rise in air mobility in the Rio Grande Valley has prompted new infrastructure projects ranging from boarding areas to runways. Currently, all airports—Harlingen, McAllen, and Brownsville—are undergoing expansions. This underscores the strategic advantages offered to investors; the strategic location is crucial for trade and international connectivity. With ongoing investments and new international routes, these airports are poised to continue driving competitiveness and economic development between Mexico and the United States.